* By FishProf
Spain is the center of attention in the international seafood world since Seafood Expo Global moved to Barcelona (from its original roots in Brussels) but this has not stopped the people of Spain having their own event, based in their largest fishing port, Vigo, Galicia. This year was the 25th CONXEMAR and it attracted over 27,000 people over a 3 days period in October 2024 held at Vigo Trade Fair Institute (IFEVI). The FishProfwas invited by ICEX.
Spain brings back so many great memories for the FishProf. Lots of great friends, places and experiences enjoyed. The seafood in Spain is just next level, and the people just know their fish, they know what they like, and they eat it constantly but, sadly, things are shifting in Spain with generational change.
Spain is surrounded by 8,000 km of coastline, with an ancestral fishing tradition and a seafaring culture that runs through their veins. Spain is a power in the world of fishing, and their coastal towns have been built on seafood tourism. Like Japan, Spanish people have been lovers of fish and in both countries, they are now seeing declines in local consumption.
The Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have reported that consumption has dropped by 30% in the last ten years. What has happened?
During COVID-19 it was researched and reported (de la Iglesia, R. et al.) in their paper “Fish, Seafood, and Fish Products Purchasing Habits in the Spanish Population during COVID-19” that there was a 45% general increase
in purchases of fish, seafood, and fish products by Spanish households during the months of lockdown in Spain.
They particularly noted the significant difference between the retiree and the youngest populations in the relative increment of fish, seafood, and fish products purchases, being much higher in the elderly. Surprisingly, the use of e-commerce was high among the group of older age.
In another paper on consumer preferences of five European Union countries (Menozzi, D. et al.) it highlighted that seafood products are accepted as important sources of protein and components of a healthy and sustainable diet. The need to understanding consumers’ preferences for fish products is crucial for increasing fish consumption.
In this research consumer choices were investigated for fresh fish in the retail markets where small and medium enterprises are the operators as against the mammoth international supermarket chains. Species such as Cod, herring,
seabass, seabream, salmon, trout, and pangasius head the sales.
The research results showed the highest premiums were for wild-caught fish rather than farm-raised alternatives. Ready-to-cook products were generally preferred to whole fish, whereas fish fillet preference was more a species-specific determination. This report (produced through the Primefish Project, a project funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program) promoted that public authorities’ campaigns should inform consumers about the tangible benefits related with health and environmental advantages.
The FishProf believes that many NGO’s along with Certification organizations have ‘muddied the waters’ with campaigns and logos and the seafood consumers have become confused. Governments and industry are to be blamed. Both have allowed this confusion to be driven by the major supermarkets lazy approach to purchasing so this has proliferated and with the added strength of global organizations pushing ‘fast food’ alternatives promoting poor health
outcomes the community is falling well short of the nutritional value that fish/seafood delivers.
The Spanish government are attempting to turn things around by supporting grass roots industry and have launched the campaign “Fill your sea table”, designed especially for their citizens who are looking for fresh, nutritious and easy-to-prepare options and clearly targeting increased seafood consumption. The initiative, part of the “Alimentos de España” (Foods of Spain) strategy, will see gastronomic events featuring fish and seafood taking place in culinary schools, municipal markets, and Paradors (the network of state-run hotels housed in historic buildings).
Additionally, Spain is through ICEX (essentially its Trade & Marketing arm) working to assist their industry in exporting more seafood.
People are missing the point on seafood. It is healthy, sustainable and versatile and is generally well managed through government processes.
Certification has not changed poorly managed country resources. All that has happened is that it has added additional costs to already well managed resources and created another industry between the harvester and the customer!
Every seafood meal that comes out of the water is packed full of flavor and essential nutrients, micro-nutrients, vitamins and high-quality protein. Good harvesters, be they farmers or fishers, are essential to global health and well-being. They need to be supported.
Spain’s new campaign, currently underway, “Un país infinito en productos del mar y recetas” (A country infinite in seafood products and recipes), aims to raise awareness about the importance of seafood consumption and the sustainability of fish and shellfish production.
Events are taking place featuring fish products from Mediterranean and Cantabrian fishing guilds prepared by top Parador chefs, highlighting the variety and richness of Spanish seafood. Participating guilds include those from Calpe, Santa Pola (Alicante), Gandía (Valencia), Vinaroz (Castellón), Portosín (La Coruña), Luarca (Asturias), and Colindres (Cantabria).
CONXEMAR takes seafood to the whole city of Vigo, flags are flying and there is a real buzz about seafood generated whilst you are there.
Besides the economic impact various recreational and educational activities involving the whole city were scheduled. Among them, the ‘Fish & Kids CONXEMAR’ children’s days and the ‘ConxeFest, Fish & Hits’ music band contest – seemed to be well received.
Children between 9 and 11 years were the focus of the educational workshops ‘Fish & Kids CONXEMAR’ which went for two weeks. At this event the children were discovering marine biodiversity, getting an understanding of the entire seafood production chain and guided by a chef, cooking and tasting different varieties of fish. This experience also allows them to become aware of the circular economy through the recycling of packaging.
‘ConxeFest, Fish & Hits’ was aimed at teenager audiences and over 130 emerging Galician bands applied for the final. Through social networks those that achieved the popular vote saw five bands participate in the final.
The final was live, and it gave opportunity for seafood truck gastronomy to be on hand with many funds donated to charity.
Spain is the center of attention in the international seafood world since Seafood Expo Global moved to Barcelona (from its original roots in Brussels) but this has not stopped the people of Spain having their own event, based in their largest fishing port, Vigo, Galicia.
This year was the 25th CONXEMAR and it attracted over 27,000 people over a 3 days period in October 2024 held at Vigo Trade Fair Institute (IFEVI). The FishProf was invited by ICEX.
As far as the FishProf can determine ‘CONXEMAR’ means ‘congeal’ assuming it has some connection to ‘the industry taking shape or coming together’. That is exactly what happens, and its focus is for people wanting to sell their seafood or related goods into Spain and for Spanish organizations to bring their teams and their customers together and update
with new products, set new horizons for their sales, meet new clients and impress the old ones. There is a focus on Vigo and Galicia for sure but that in itself is a seafood paradise.
This year, CONXEMAR had more than 750 stands located on 37,000 square meters and they reportedly generate 235 million euros and 6,500 jobs each year in the Vigo area.
Their figures show that 110 different countries were represented through both the expo stands (46 different countries) and delegates. Dominican Republic, South Africa, Mexico, Indonesia, Namibia, Poland and Slovenia were first time exhibitors.
To measure the impact the organizers, engage Zona Franca and the Ardán Chair of the University of Vigo according to the CONXEMAR president, Eloy García. He stated the study highlights the importance of meeting the needs of the industry in order to continue growing, given that for every 6,000 square meters of unmet demand, 20 million euros (USD 21.16 million) are lost.
This special edition of the Expo recognized the 25th anniversary of CONXEMAR. There were many interconnections with the public including a music attraction and a special competition (ConxeTapas) that aims to bring the flavor of frozen seafood to Vigo’s Old Town.
Adding value to the Spanish government’s promotions. Approximately twenty establishments made offerings of their best seafood tapas, people could then scan the QR code found on the promotional supports and vote for the best tapa, thus entering the draw to be known as the Champion Seafood Tapas in Vigo. Prizes and awards were made to the winners.
Paparota restaurant triumphed at ConxeTapas, the gastronomic competition with the best frozen seafood product. Their winning tapa was the Gambonia Garden, a recipe based on prawns, mushrooms (boletus), tetilla (soft local cheese with a nipple shape) and zucchini flowers with corn bread. Restaurants Paparrúa and Pintxoteca finished 2nd and 3rd respectively.
FAO International Congress @CONXEMAR
The FishProf was able to attend the 12th edition of the CONXEMAR FAO International Congress which is the beginning of the intense seafood focus days in Vigo. Focusing on ‘Responsibility for the future’, and especially on the SOFIA 2024 Report Sustainable Development Goals:
Responsibility for the Future report. This conference brought together many specialist speakers who, in groups, were analyzing the current challenges and opportunities of the seafood processing and marketing industry and its commitment to sustainability.
The panel discussions of international experts dealt with topics such as the global context of fisheries and aquaculture, sustainable management of fishery resources, challenges and opportunities for the sector in terms of regulations, innovation in the value chain, and the responsibility of the media and its social influence on the management of sustainability messages.
The FishProf thought that the most pertinent point made came from the media session where it was highlighted that
the industry was its own worst enemy. The issue was the failure to rid itself of the ‘dodgy’ elements (people and practices) and lifting the veil of secrecy to be more transparent. The industry, if really genuine, could change this very quickly.
CONXEMAR exhibition serves as a meeting point for wholesalers, importers, exporters, processors, manufacturers, distributors, refrigerators, machinery, and auxiliary industry (refrigeration, packaging, plastics, etc.) over three days.
Aligning with the Conference theme the emphasis was on the transition of aquatic food towards responsible food systems.
CONXEMAR have a hosted buyer program, in conjunction with ICEX, where people from Rumania, USA, Australia, South Africa, Korea, UAE, Namibia, Argentina, Slovenia and others are introduced to many of the Spanish exporters and additionally are escorted on tours around Vigo visiting government institutions, processing plants, fish markets,
aquaculture farms and especially seafood restaurants.
The FishProf was very grateful to have been treated to all those extras. In addition to the companies associated with CONXEMAR the Spanish Association of Wholesalers, Importers, Exporters, and Processors of Fishery and Aquaculture Products, which includes a total of 260 companies representing 65.6% of the turnover and 57.9% of the direct employment in the industry and marketing of fishery products in Spain, the exhibition had a large international presence both in-country pavilions and in foreign and European exhibiting companies.
The importance and potential of this sector is reflected in the socioeconomic impact of CONXEMAR week for the Vigo area, which last year exceeded EUR 750 million (USD 832.9 million). As mentioned, the concept of responsibility, and under the slogan ‘We are one planet, one commitment, one fair’, was strong among the exhibitors and suppliers who were encouraged to prioritize the supply of local products to boost the regional economy while reducing carbon emissions from transport.
Chile Salmon to Australia announced during CONXEMAR
After a long audit process carried out by the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Chile has been notified of its official recognition for the export of Chilean processed salmonids to Australia with the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) as the Competent Authority authorized for its certification.
This news came through during CONXEMAR and FishProf was able to discuss this opportunity with Mauricio Toirkens (Chilean Commercial Director of Salmones Austral) and Manuel Garcia from their European Commercial Office. Both were looking forward to ProChile and Sernapesca online seminar to provide information to interested companies about the technical aspects of this opening and the promotion of the product in the market because they were not fully across the opportunity.
Salmones Austral brands of Pacific Star & Trusal they said would be well received in Australia and they were looking forward to developing those brands in that market.
The General Director of ProChile, Ignacio Fernández said “This is undoubtedly great news. The salmon industry in Chile is one of the main exporters in the food sector, with shipments exceeding USD 6 billion in 2023 and so far, this year, we see figures reaching USD 4.1 billion. The opening of Australia means the diversification of markets for this product and a recognition of the quality of our food.”
Chile currently exports frozen and fresh salmon to 76 countries, with the main destination markets being the United States, Brazil, Russia, China and the European Union. Chilean salmon exports are vital to the national economy and regions with strong aquaculture industries.
“It was a long audit process carried out on the inspection, control and certification systems that Sernapesca maintains throughout the salmonid value chain, and it is a great recognition coming from one of the most demanding markets in the world in terms of biosecurity, which opens a new market where Sernapesca will be able to certify and facilitate the export process,” National Director of Sernapesca, Soledad Tapia Almonacid reportedly said.
Meanwhile the politics of this decision is creating a lot of heat in Australia. The opposition stated that the Albanese Australian Government’s contempt for Tasmania’s salmon industry has plunged to an astounding new low with news that it has now approved Chilean salmon imports for entry into the Australian market.
In their press release they stated, ‘the decision to green-light imports from a country with a long catalogue of environmental and human rights problems in its salmon industry is all the more galling given that it comes at the very same time as Labor’s Environment Minister, Tanya Plibersek, has handicapped salmon farming in Tasmania’s Macquarie Harbour with an indefinite review into its environmental credentials.’
They added “Our salmon industry abides by the highest environmental standards and goes out of its way to invest in research and regulate its activities to ensure its sustainability and to maintain its social license. The Chilean salmon industry on the other hand has some of the worst compliance and instances of environmental harm one could think of. Is it right for Australia to import Chilean salmon when our environmental standards are so different to one another?”
“We absolutely support free trade, but this has to be done on equal terms. We can’t disadvantage ourselves through having high environmental standards and worker rights while allowing salmon into our market from a country with arguably some of the lowest environmental standards and an abysmal record of worker rights within their own salmon industry.”
“Federal Labor bowed to activists by instigating a review into salmon farming at Macquarie Harbour which could see this industry shut down on People are missing the point on seafood. It is healthy, sustainable and versatile and is generally well managed through government processes. Certification has not changed poorly managed country resources. All that has happened is that it has added additional costs to already well managed resources and created another industry between the harvester and the customer! the West Coast. If that happens, they undoubtedly won’t stop until salmon farming throughout our state is finished. The outcome would be that we would ultimately be consuming salmon from countries that have worse standards than Australia: a horrible outcome for our workers, our economy and the global environment.”
“This decision has been quietly lodged on a Chilean Government website with no mention from Federal Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Julie Collins. This issue can’t be swept under the carpet. The Minister needs to front up and explain why allowing Chilean salmon into Australia, with the baggage of an awful history of environmental harm and worker abuse, is acceptable when our own industry is under threat from her government and activists who want it shut down because of ideology.”
The Tasmanian State Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, (a former federal minister) stated “Federal Labor have taken another alarming step towards closing down Tasmania’s salmon industry, opening the door to imported salmon. It’s a smack in the face to the hundreds of hardworking Tasmanians to have Federal Labor priorities importing product from South America, rather than providing much needed certainty to Tasmania’s own
salmon industry.”
Further he made it very clear that Tasmania will only sell Tasmanian salmon in stating “Thankfully Tasmania has well established biosecurity controls in place that prohibit the importation of high-risk salmon products into our State. There’s no way the products that have been approved by Minister Collins for importation into Australia will make their way onto Tasmanian shelves.”
Regular contributor The Fishmonger has now morphed into FishProf and will continue contributing to AQUACULTURE but also welcomes all the readers to connect through www.fishprof.com and join in our promotions to increase seafood consumption globally.
